The Atlas Lions will face the Lions of Teranga at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat after both nations successfully won their semi-finals tests. Morocco got the better of Nigeria on penalties to reach the final, while Senegal defeated Egypt.
For Morocco, goalkeeper Yassine Bounou emerged the hero after he produced decisive saves to deny Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi and propel the Atlas Lions to a 4-2 penalty win, and one step closer to AFCON glory.
The game had ended 0-0 after 90 minutes and extra time. Senegal, who won the AFCON in 2021, needed a superbly taken goal by Sadio Mane in the 78th minute to dump out the Pharaohs.
Morocco will contest their second AFCON final and first since 2004, while Senegal will play in their fourth AFCON final and first since 2021, when they won their maiden title.
Ahead of the eagerly-awaited final, Eymael, whose recent work station was in South Africa with Premier Soccer League (PSL) side Chippa United, has stated the absence of Senegal players – defender Kalidou Koulibaly and midfielder Habib Diarra – will swing the game in favour of Morocco.
Koulibaly and Diarra will both miss the final through suspension for accumulated yellow cards. This will be the second time Koulibaly, who plays for Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal, will be missing an AFCON final through suspension, having missed the 2019 final.
Morocco will maximise on suspensions
“Senegal will miss two key players, Koulibaly, and Diarra, while for Morocco they don’t have any suspension, the crowd, the 12th man will be on Morocco’s side. It will be a huge task for Senegal, it will be a tough game, but a final win for Morocco,” Eymael told Flashscore.
“If you don’t have your key players, and you are playing against a complete team as good as Morocco, then things will not work out for you. Morocco will maximise on the missing players, knowing that they have a chance to win the AFCON.”
Another area that Eymael feels will work in Morocco's favour is the goalkeeping department under former Chelsea player Edouard Mendy. According to the 66-year-old, Mendy has been prone to mistakes and could cost Senegal the title.
“I will say goalkeeper Mendy has to be 100 percent because of his games (club or national team), he is always committing mistakes,” explained Eymael.
“If Mendy doesn’t show commitment in the final, then Senegal will be in for a very long day.”
However, Eymael warned Morocco to be alert and devise ways to stop Mane, who scored the winning goal against Egypt, and midfielder Idrissa Gueye.
He further said Morocco should be wary of striker Nicolas Jackson, who has so far played four AFCON matches and scored two goals.
“The only task Morocco will have is to work on ways to block Sadio (Mane) from his dangerous shots from outside the area, and get prepared to deny Gueye a chance to pass the ball, or dominate the midfield,” said Eymael.
“Mane is such a player who can disappear from the game for a period of time, but when he shows up, he comes with a goal. For Gueye, he knows how to hold, and distribute the ball, he is an experienced midfielder, who plays in the Premier League, and must be checked to avoid doing any damage.”
On Jackson, he said: “Morocco must try as much as possible to neutralise his threats. While he doesn’t play much at Bayern Munich, he is one player who should not be looked down upon.”
This will be the first meeting between the two nations at an AFCON, but their 32nd overall. Senegal have six wins to Morocco’s 18, with seven draws.
